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Abstract

Today, the forest is a key element of natural resources, the most complex natural (ecological) system in the continent. Because of its environmental impact, it is also a vital condition for healthy human life. In addition to its dominant role in regulating the quantity and quality of waters, the forest defines the nature of the landscape, preserves the richness of wildlife species and, being a renewable natural resource, continuously improves the state of the environment, while producing raw materials, energy sources and food. The present area and condition of forests have evolved over centuries of human activity. Due to their territorial fragmentation and the environmental damage forests are exposed to, we can only count on the indispensable survival, protective effect and products (yields) of forest communities if we treat them professionally and protect them from damaging effects, excessive use and stress, ensuring the diversity and appropriate harmony of their flora and fauna. The forest area of Hungary has grown dynamically over the last decades, however, in the European Union, we are one of the countries with less favourable indicators in this field. This study deals with the current issues of forest management in Hungary (forest area, forest land proportion, foresttree supply, afforestation, forest health, logging) focusing on the direction and extent of positive and negative changes in this field.